Padiham Saints J.F.C

Gregson Lane 6-2 Padiham Saints

Goalscorer: Tyrone (2)


Well, we faced our toughest test for a while in this game, Gregson being a tough draw from the East Lancs League.

We started the game very slowly, I'm not sure why but we didn't seem to be switched on through most of the first half. Gregson grabbed an early goal after their striker got behind our defense and lobbed past a stranded Crabby. To our credit we did hit back straight away when we played a couple of nice passes and Tyrone's powerful shot was fumbled by their goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

It would be our only shot for the rest of the half, as our players didn't seem very motivated for the game and weren't marking and passing well enough to escape our half. We were under pressure and conceded a further 3 goals until half time gave us a break.

At the start of the second half not much seemed to change but you could see one or two of our players heads started to lift and they began to get their heads down and work harder. We got another goal through Tyrone when his long range effort flew over the keeper. But again, we were overworked in midfield and were constantly coming under pressure, and was it not for some good defensive work and Nathan in goal we would have conceded a lot more than we did. Final score 6-2.

Man of the match was most definitely Nathan Crabtree, who made a string of great saves in the second half, including a penalty.

Another couple that deserve a mention are Curtis up front, he worked harder than most of the team and did well to set up Tyrone for his first goal, and Phil who was always trying to lift the team and get everyone working.

It's not the end of the world lads but Tom has it right, if you don't work hard you'll get nothing. Just like growing up really, lazy at school = low qualifications = struggle to get a good job. Sorry lads, not meaning to preach but that's the real world, you'll get out of it what you put in.

Secondly you must go out with a belief and a will to win regardless of who the opposition is or what league they play in. They only have 11 on the pitch and each of the 11 will only have two legs. It comes down to who wants it most. If you're really not bothered if you win or lose stay home, watch tele or play on your gameboy.

I can remember when this team first formed, after a heavy defeat one lad blamed 'Crabby', not the fact that the defence were crap and couldn't run a flag up a flagpole let alone the length of a football pitch. You're a long way away from that now and you all know that 'Crabby' plays every game at 110%. A good roll model for any of you that don't have committment.

I didn't mean this to be scathing but if only half of you believe you can win then you'll win nothing. I've watched quite a few of your games over the last two years and you have good players, one or two exceptional players and when you want to, can play real football. Don't just turn it on against the teams you know you can beat do it consitantly week in week out, make those top teams struggle for a 2-1 win.

Finally lads if not for yourselves Tom deserves at least an 100% effort from you every time you step out on that pitch. Saints as a club expect a 100% effort from you everytime you step out on that pitch. I expect 110% because I spend time money and effort coming to support you when I could be watching a Saints team that do everything but die to get a result irrespective of the opposition.


Let's see that committment lads and you'll fly up the league.